Poplar Bluff celebrates Juneteenth

A gentle breeze Saturday was refreshing as community members gathered at Bacon Park for one of the three Juneteenth celebrations in Poplar Bluff.

The event in the park was sponsored by the Butler County NAACP and the Concerned Mother’s Coalition while the Wheatley Historical Preservation Association and the Northside Community Center had events Friday and Saturday.

Locally, Juneteenth has been celebrated for many year but this year it is a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday creating the holiday. More than two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers brought news on June 19, 1865, to Galveston, Texas, the Confederacy had surrendered.

NAACP representative Nicki Johnson prepared for the heat by making certain “extra tents and pavilions are available just for people to be cool,” she said.

Johnson might rethink when they’ll begin the event next year since folks were a little late in arriving.

Johnson and others didn’t mind the people arriving a little late.

“We are here to celebrate the end of slavery and promote diversity and asking for community policing,” she said. “We are meeting in fellowship.”

Brandon Gunn, 13, approached Johnson about when the food would be ready. She explained, all the side dishes prepared by the women were done. As the aroma of grilling meat floated through the park it was apparent to those attending they were going to eat soon. Among the chefs were Austin Holcomb, Steve Williams, Jason Matlock and others were about ready to begin serving.

Working through early issues, Johnson said, “it didn’t get started on time but we are getting there.”

Those attending were gathering in various cool areas laughing and visiting while Lanny Corcimiglia, Poplar Bluff Director of Parks and Recreation, was helping start a generator to inflate a bounce house. Corcimiglia smiled adding this wasn’t one of the city’s parks. Watching his success getting the bounce house off the ground, youngsters were making their way towards it to have some fun.

Activities scheduled during the day were presentations by a Poplar Bluff City police officer, author and poet Erin Ceesay and Michelle Webb, who was to speak on financial literacy.

Plans included a kickball tournament and basketball games.

The activities at the park were to end with a fireworks display at dusk.

Juneteenth activities started Friday morning with Annie Hinton, director of the Northside Community Center, planning programs in the morning at the center and in the afternoon having activities at the Brown Chapel pavilion at Valley and Benton streets.

Wheatley Historical Preservation Association continued Saturday with the program “Supporting our Youth & Honoring Our Senior Citizens.”

Rex Rattler with the WHPA conduct a program honoring many of the senior citizens in the community as well as the youngsters. After the program, everyone enjoyed a meal featuring catfish fried by Ronald McCain.